The original cult propaganda film.
Produced as a cautionary tale, Reefer Madness dramatizes the supposed dangers of marijuana use — including madness, murder, and moral decay. Intended to scare parents and warn teens, the film became infamous for its over-the-top moral panic, and has since earned cult status for its unintentional camp and historical value.
Now in the public domain, it stands as a relic of 1930s social messaging, and a fascinating example of how fear was used as education in early American cinema.
Public domain · Runtime: ~68 minutes
So wrong, it’s become iconic. This is vintage fear in film form.
Produced as a cautionary tale, Reefer Madness dramatizes the supposed dangers of marijuana use — including madness, murder, and moral decay. Intended to scare parents and warn teens, the film became infamous for its over-the-top moral panic, and has since earned cult status for its unintentional camp and historical value.
Now in the public domain, it stands as a relic of 1930s social messaging, and a fascinating example of how fear was used as education in early American cinema.
Public domain · Runtime: ~68 minutes
So wrong, it’s become iconic. This is vintage fear in film form.
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00The End
00:00:30The End
00:01:00The End
00:01:30The End
00:02:00The End
00:02:29The End
00:02:59The End
00:03:29You and all other school parent groups about the country, and you must stand united
00:03:36on this and stamp out this frightful assassin of our youth.
00:03:41You can do it by bringing about compulsory education on the subject of narcotics in general,
00:03:48but red marijuana in particular.
00:03:52That is the purpose of this meeting, ladies and gentlemen, to lay the foundation for a nationwide
00:03:58campaign by you to demand by law such compulsory education.
00:04:04Because it is only through enlightenment that this scourge can be wiped out.
00:04:11Out of the traffic in these drugs, a lawlessness that we can scarcely estimate has grown and
00:04:17is now flourishing.
00:04:18It exists in almost every city and hamlet in the country.
00:04:23It might be interesting and important for you to know some of the methods used in bringing
00:04:28these drugs into the country, and the work of the forces of law and order which are daily
00:04:34combatting the drug trafficking in the drug trafficking, the drug trafficking, and the drug trafficking.
00:04:41This ceaseless fight against the drug trafficking is directed by the Department of Narcotics, Washington.
00:04:47I have received a letter of vital importance from a member of the Narcotics Bureau.
00:04:57I am going to read this letter to you.
00:05:00My dear Dr. Carroll, the suppression of the use of marijuana and of the forces lurking behind
00:05:07it are the most important jobs this department is now engaged in.
00:05:11At the outset of this letter, there is one vital fact I would like to submit.
00:05:16There is a powerful agency.
00:05:18I speak of the school parent associations of this country, which can be invaluable in stamping
00:05:23out this scourge.
00:05:25Their help, their eternal vigilance, could be the deciding factor in our fight against
00:05:30it.
00:05:31The weed marijuana is grown in every state in the Union.
00:05:35Recently, in the city of Brooklyn, New York, a field of marijuana was found behind a tenement
00:05:42court.
00:05:43The weed was here being cultivated, regularly stripped and dried and sold in schools and
00:05:50at government army posts in and around New York.
00:05:55The dried leaves and berries are ground up and made into cigarettes by a simple hand machine.
00:06:02The deadly narcotic is thus quickly and easily prepared for its market.
00:06:09The sale of marijuana is even more difficult to detect and halt than the traffic in drugs
00:06:14such as opium, morphine and heroin.
00:06:19They are hidden in fake jewelry cases, in the heels of shoes, women's shoes especially, because
00:06:27the drugs can be secreted in false heels.
00:06:31Hollowed shaving brushes are another medium.
00:06:34Books with false centers are often used.
00:06:37Watch cases are convenient hiding places.
00:06:40The value of drugs thus seized is enormous.
00:06:43Recently, a huge supply of heroin was taken.
00:06:47It was concealed in an apparently harmless shipment of 35 barrels of olive oil.
00:06:53The deadly drug was burned in the incinerator of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
00:06:59And more vicious, more deadly, even than these soul-destroying drugs, is the menace of marijuana.
00:07:08No doubt, many of you do not believe that these things do happen, but they cannot happen to you.
00:07:15You may also believe that the facts have been exaggerated.
00:07:19Let me tell you of something that happened right here in our own city.
00:07:23You probably read about it in the papers.
00:07:26However, I'll give you the real facts behind the case.
00:07:29There was an apartment near one of our high schools.
00:07:33It was run by a woman known as May Coleman.
00:07:37Let's go.
00:07:38Let's go.
00:07:59Hey.
00:08:00Come on, May.
00:08:01Get up.
00:08:02What time is it?
00:08:03Time to get up and give this place a going over.
00:08:05Looks like the Marines had landed.
00:08:07Oh, that bunch last night was high enough to take over the Marines and the Navy.
00:08:11You'd better get on the job.
00:08:12Some of the kids may be up this afternoon.
00:08:14Oh, Jack, we can get along without dragging those young kids up here.
00:08:18Oh, why don't you button up your lip?
00:08:20You're always squawking about something.
00:08:22You've got more static than the radio.
00:08:35You've got more static than the radio.
00:08:36I'm not going anywhere.
00:08:37All right.
00:08:38Oh, you're just saying.
00:08:39I'm kind of such a good morning.
00:08:40Yeah, I'll be able to get into it.
00:08:41Oh, that's it.
00:08:42Oh, my.
00:08:43Oh, my.
00:08:45Oh, my.
00:08:46Oh, my.
00:08:48Oh, my.
00:08:49Oh, my.
00:08:50Oh, my.
00:08:52Oh, my.
00:08:54Oh, my.
00:08:55Oh, my.
00:08:56Oh, my.
00:08:58Oh, my.
00:09:00Oh, my.
00:09:00Oh, my.
00:09:01Oh, my.
00:09:02Oh, greetings.
00:09:16Well, hello, how are you?
00:09:17Fine, how are you? Come here. Come here.
00:09:20Glad to see you.
00:09:24Is her name?
00:09:25She'll be right in. Just sit down and make yourself comfortable.
00:09:29Hey, what kind of a joint is this, Eddie?
00:09:31Oh, it's all right, Gwen.
00:09:33See, they probably had a party last night.
00:09:35Oh.
00:09:40A couple of your customers, Mae.
00:09:42Yeah?
00:09:43They're old enough to know what they're doing.
00:09:45Not like those young kids you bring up here.
00:09:48All right, all right.
00:09:50Listen, I'm going to blow.
00:09:51Where are you going?
00:09:52I've got to make some deliveries, and I'll probably drop by Joe's place and bring back a couple of the kids.
00:09:57Oh, I wish you'd lay off those kids.
00:09:59Oh, why don't you get a little complex?
00:10:01Oh, my God.
00:10:02Oh, my God.
00:10:02Oh, my God.
00:10:03Oh, my God.
00:10:03Oh, my God.
00:10:04Oh, my God.
00:10:04Oh, my God.
00:10:05Oh, my God.
00:10:05Oh, my God.
00:10:06Oh, my God.
00:10:06Oh, my God.
00:10:07Oh, my God.
00:10:07Oh, my God.
00:10:07Oh, my God.
00:10:08Oh, my God.
00:10:09Oh, my God.
00:10:10Oh, my God.
00:10:11Oh, my God.
00:10:12Oh, my God.
00:10:13Oh, my God.
00:10:14Oh, my God.
00:10:15Oh, my God.
00:10:16Oh, my God.
00:10:17Oh, my God.
00:10:18Oh, my God.
00:10:19Oh, my God.
00:10:20Oh, my God.
00:10:21Oh, my God.
00:10:22Oh, my God.
00:10:23Oh, my God.
00:10:24Oh, my God.
00:10:25Oh, my God.
00:10:31Oh, by the way, Ralph, I'm sort of getting a little party Saturday afternoon over at my grandmother's.
00:10:47You know, the place for the swimming pool?
00:10:49Like to come?
00:10:50Thanks, Teddy.
00:10:50Maybe I will.
00:10:51I'd sure like to have you.
00:10:52Okay, I'll probably drop over.
00:10:54So long, Ralph.
00:10:55See you later.
00:10:57Hey, Ralph!
00:10:59Hi, kid.
00:10:59Fine, Jack.
00:11:00And you?
00:11:00Oh, great.
00:11:01Where are you heading?
00:11:02Oh.
00:11:05Hey, how do you like that?
00:11:12That's the one I was telling you about.
00:11:15Very nice.
00:11:19I don't know why you want to make such a fuss over that Ralph Wiley.
00:11:22Oh, he's a swell swimmer.
00:11:24He made the freshman team that year he went to college.
00:11:26Yeah, and that lets him out.
00:11:27My dad knows his family.
00:11:29None of them are any good.
00:11:30Father and mother just got a divorce from Paris.
00:11:32Yeah?
00:11:33You know, Ralph runs around pretty much on his own.
00:11:35He's been in a couple of jams.
00:11:37Well, I only kind of say hello to him.
00:11:39I don't go around with him.
00:11:40Well, you better not.
00:11:41He's a little too old for us.
00:11:42That's what my dad said.
00:11:43Hello, Mary.
00:11:47How are you, Bill?
00:11:47How are you, Ralph?
00:11:49Oh, hello, Ralph.
00:11:50You know our brother Jimmy, don't you?
00:11:51How are you?
00:11:52Well, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, Jack Perry.
00:11:55Mary, Bill, how are you?
00:11:56How do you do?
00:11:57Glad to know you.
00:11:59We're going over to Joe's place.
00:12:00Why don't you come along?
00:12:01We have a date to play, a set of doubles.
00:12:03Oh, you can play any time.
00:12:04Come on, we'll have some laughs.
00:12:05Oh, we can today, Ralph.
00:12:07Some other time.
00:12:08Can I go along with you?
00:12:09Sure.
00:12:09Hey, I'll see you at dinner, sis.
00:12:14Don't be late, Jimmy.
00:12:15I won't.
00:12:38Hey, he ain't no paper man.
00:12:50Why don't you know he hasn't had a hot-fingered pony?
00:12:52Boy, he really swings out and out with a mess of chimes.
00:12:55You want to dance?
00:12:55George!
00:12:56May's expecting us at the apartment a little later.
00:13:18Any new prospect?
00:13:20Maybe.
00:13:20Hey, I'll see you.
00:13:50Oh, Jimmy, you're wonderful!
00:14:18You're just finding that out.
00:14:20Why can't we go now?
00:14:27Mm, sure.
00:14:28Hey, kids, we're having a little party up in my girlfriend's apartment.
00:14:31Wouldn't you like to come?
00:14:32Oh, I'd love to.
00:14:33You want to come, don't you, Jenny?
00:14:35Oh, sure.
00:14:36Any place with you.
00:14:37Well, come along.
00:14:38We can all go in my car.
00:14:45See you later, Jo.
00:14:47Come along.
00:14:48It's sweet of you to help me, Bill.
00:15:02Well, I'll try anything except domestic science.
00:15:05Why, Bill, don't you want to learn something about running your own home?
00:15:08The answer is no.
00:15:11You know, after that session we had yesterday, I went home and told Mother that the trouble
00:15:15with her pot roast gravy was she hadn't added three heaping teaspoonsfuls of olive oil.
00:15:21What did she say?
00:15:22She didn't say anything.
00:15:23She just threw me out of the kitchen.
00:15:25Oh, I don't wonder.
00:15:26Hello, children.
00:15:27Hello, Mother.
00:15:28Hello, Mrs. Lane.
00:15:29That was sweet of you, Mother.
00:15:31Gosh!
00:15:32Hot chocolate.
00:15:33Thanks, Mrs. Lane.
00:15:34I know you can't study on empty stomachs.
00:15:35Now then, enjoy yourselves.
00:15:36He will.
00:15:37She will, too, Mrs. Lane.
00:15:38May I?
00:15:39Oh, thank you, kind sir.
00:15:40You're so very, very kind.
00:15:41Mary, before we do that math, how about reading some of this?
00:15:42It's swell.
00:15:43Romeo and Juliet.
00:15:44Don't you like it?
00:15:45Uh-huh.
00:15:46You know, when I study this, I kind of think of you, and I just sort of feel as though you're
00:15:47there beside me.
00:15:48But listen.
00:15:49Well, listen.
00:16:06It is my soul that calls upon thy name, How silver, sweet, sound lovers' tongues by
00:16:18night, like softest music to attending ears.
00:16:24Romeo.
00:16:25My dear.
00:16:27What o'clock tomorrow shall I send to thee?
00:16:30By the hour of nine.
00:16:32I will not fail.
00:16:34Just 20 years till then.
00:16:42Well, uh, I'll see you tonight, Mary.
00:16:45Bye, Mrs. Lang.
00:16:47Goodbye.
00:16:48Goodbye, Bill.
00:16:49Oh!
00:16:50Oh, Bill!
00:16:52Oh, I'll get some more right.
00:16:57Well, bye.
00:16:58Bye!
00:16:59Hey, Daddy!
00:17:01Oh, Julie.
00:17:02Well, hey.
00:17:07Hey, Dad, you got anything for me?
00:17:09Well, there should be...
00:17:10Don't bother your father every night.
00:17:12Uh, have you?
00:17:14There you are.
00:17:15What made you feel late, Bill?
00:17:17I was getting worried.
00:17:18Oh, I had to study, Ma.
00:17:20He was not.
00:17:22I saw him out walking with his girl.
00:17:24Bill's got a girl.
00:17:26Got a girl's kid.
00:17:27Ma, make him cut it out.
00:17:28Junior.
00:17:29Well, Bill has got a girl.
00:17:31Quiet.
00:17:32And put that candy away till after dinner.
00:17:34Henry, you shouldn't have given it to him.
00:17:36Well, he has got a girlfriend, and her name is Mary.
00:17:39Yeah, I'll shut you up.
00:17:41Bill!
00:17:42Junior!
00:17:43Put that cherry ball.
00:17:44Junior!
00:17:45Oh, that's a good little apple.
00:17:46They're all right there, young.
00:17:47Mary's a little lamb.
00:17:48Mary's a little lamb.
00:17:49Mary's a little lamb.
00:17:50I didn't mean to Bill Ernest, I didn't.
00:17:51Oh, well, what I'm burnt up about is that you didn't say Bill had a swell girl.
00:17:55Gee, it must be love.
00:17:57She'd have to be swell for you to like her.
00:18:00Uh-huh.
00:18:01Sounds like you want something.
00:18:02Come on.
00:18:03What is it?
00:18:04Well, it's my model airplane.
00:18:05It won't work.
00:18:06Gosh, Bill, you could fix it.
00:18:07You can fix anything.
00:18:08Okay, I'll fix it.
00:18:10Dad, read me 20 minutes, will you?
00:18:11Yes.
00:18:12Here we are.
00:18:13You see, Bill, you can fix anything.
00:18:16Okay, I'll fix it.
00:18:18Dad, read me 20 minutes, will you?
00:18:19Yes.
00:18:20Here we are.
00:18:21You see, Bill, you can fix anything.
00:18:22You can fix anything.
00:18:23Okay, I'll fix it.
00:18:25You see...
00:18:30Oh, hello, Jimmy.
00:18:33Mary told me to wait and tell her she had to go home.
00:18:35Her mother wanted her to go to the dressmaker with her.
00:18:37Oh, thanks, Jimmy.
00:18:38You must be getting grown up.
00:18:40I see Mary let you have the car.
00:18:42Yeah.
00:18:43Will I take you any place?
00:18:44Well, I wasn't going any place in particular.
00:18:46Well, then, how about drive me over to the show's place with me?
00:18:50I'll buy you soda.
00:18:51I never drink that stuff.
00:18:53Well, gee, I'll buy you something else.
00:18:54Okay.
00:18:55You're on the hook for one root beer.
00:18:56Well...
00:18:57Hi, Bill.
00:18:58Hi, Jimmy.
00:18:59Yes.
00:19:00Hey, Jimmy.
00:19:01Hello, Jimmy.
00:19:02Hello, Bill.
00:19:03Come on.
00:19:04Slide in.
00:19:05Hello, Blanche.
00:19:06Hello, Ralph.
00:19:07How are you?
00:19:08Blanche, how have you been, Ralph?
00:19:09Hello, Jim.
00:19:10Two sodas.
00:19:11No, I mean one soda and one root beer.
00:19:12I'll buy you something else.
00:19:13Okay.
00:19:14You're on the hook for one root beer.
00:19:15How's May?
00:19:16Oh, she's fine.
00:19:17We're going out to your apartment a little later.
00:19:18Couldn't Bill come along?
00:19:19Uh-huh.
00:19:20Well, don't you come on along, Bill.
00:19:21You'll get a kick out of it.
00:19:22Thanks, just the same.
00:19:23Oh, come on, Bill.
00:19:24Mary won't be jealous.
00:19:25Well, sure.
00:19:26A lot of the kids will be there.
00:19:27It's keen.
00:19:28Well, I don't know.
00:19:29I really shouldn't have.
00:19:30Well, okay.
00:19:31All right.
00:19:32All right.
00:19:33Oh, come on, Bill.
00:19:34Mary won't be jealous.
00:19:35Well, sure.
00:19:36A lot of the kids will be there.
00:19:37It's keen.
00:19:38Well, I don't know.
00:19:39I really shouldn't have.
00:19:40Well, okay.
00:19:41All right.
00:19:42All right.
00:19:43All right.
00:19:58Good luck.
00:19:59This is my own연'.
00:20:08Hi.
00:20:09Bill, hello, Jackson.
00:20:10What do you say?
00:20:12Yeah.
00:20:13Come on here.
00:20:22Come on, Bill.
00:20:23Don't stand there.
00:20:24hell Billy!
00:20:25He'll be, he'll be!
00:20:27He'll be, he'll be!
00:20:28He'll be!
00:20:29He'll be!
00:20:30He'll be!
00:20:31He'll be!
00:20:32He'll be!
00:20:33He'll be!
00:20:34He'll be!
00:20:35He'll be!
00:20:36Hello.
00:20:37Hiya, kids.
00:20:38Oh, hope.
00:20:39I'm Ed.
00:20:40This is Bill Harper.
00:20:41He's okay.
00:20:42Hello.
00:20:43Well, if you say so, it's all right with me.
00:20:46I'll be back in a minute.
00:20:47Yeah, Harper.
00:20:48Hiya, kids.
00:20:49How are you doing?
00:20:50Good.
00:20:51Good.
00:20:52Hi, May.
00:20:53There's a new one in the bay.
00:20:54Bill Harper.
00:20:55He's all right.
00:20:57Blanche has got herself quite a yen for her.
00:20:59Not bad.
00:21:00I didn't think she had that much taste.
00:21:02She knows what she's doing.
00:21:04She's got Ralph enough about her, and now she's got her hooks up for this new kid.
00:21:07Say, we haven't many more smokes.
00:21:09You'd better run over and get some.
00:21:11Why couldn't you find that out when I was here this morning?
00:21:14Now I've got my car in the shop.
00:21:16Well, what of it?
00:21:17That kid out there, Jimmy, he's got a car.
00:21:20He'll take you.
00:21:21Come on, get going.
00:21:22Hurry up.
00:21:23Hurry up.
00:21:34Hey, Jimmy.
00:21:35Yeah?
00:21:36I've got to run over to Cedar Avenue for a minute.
00:21:38You've got a car, haven't you?
00:21:39Why, yeah.
00:21:40My sister.
00:21:41Mind giving me a lift?
00:21:42Why, sure.
00:21:43Come on.
00:21:44No, thank you.
00:22:01Well, here we are.
00:22:02Oh, thanks.
00:22:03Oh, Mandy, don't forget these.
00:22:04I'll never forget you.
00:22:05Oh, dear.
00:22:18If you want a good smoke, try one of these.
00:22:20I thought you were a squirt.
00:22:37Of course, if you're afraid.
00:22:39That's bitter.
00:22:40That's more like it.
00:22:41I know you'll like that really well.
00:22:42Now just take a puff of that.
00:22:56Just for a minute, kid.
00:22:57Hey, Jack, get me a cigarette before you go, will you?
00:23:13Hello, Jack.
00:23:14Hiya, boss.
00:23:34How's business?
00:23:35Getting better every day.
00:23:41How's business?
00:23:42Getting better every day.
00:23:44Those kids sure go for it.
00:23:45Swell.
00:23:46Head to run over for a couple more cartons.
00:23:48Ran short today.
00:23:49All right.
00:23:50Danny?
00:23:52That's 10 gross for Jack Perry.
00:23:55Who?
00:23:56Pete Daly.
00:23:57All right.
00:23:58Send him in.
00:23:59It's all right.
00:24:00Stay where you are.
00:24:07I want to talk to you.
00:24:09All right.
00:24:10Go ahead.
00:24:11Jack's okay.
00:24:12What's the beef?
00:24:13Listen, you never heard no beef when I had to sell that rotten gin.
00:24:16They're after the dough, aren't you?
00:24:18Yeah, but I don't need dough that bad.
00:24:20Taking two-bit pieces from kids.
00:24:22There are millions of two-bit pieces just begging to be taken.
00:24:25Don't be a dope.
00:24:26I'm just dope enough to draw the line, selling hop to kids.
00:24:32All right, Pete.
00:24:33You know what my policy's always been.
00:24:35The boys are not satisfied, and I'm always glad to have them retire.
00:24:38Retire permanently.
00:24:45So long.
00:24:54I only wish you had a couple of kids so I could...
00:24:57Get out!
00:25:01All right, Jack.
00:25:02Pick up your stuff from Danny.
00:25:03They'll be ready by now.
00:25:04Okay, boss.
00:25:20Let's go, Jack.
00:25:21I'm red hot.
00:25:22Better be careful how you drive.
00:25:23The first thing you know, you'll be ice cold.
00:25:33Take it easy, kid.
00:25:37Go down.
00:25:38You killed somebody.
00:25:53Mary, you're not eating your breakfast again.
00:26:07Bill Harper hasn't been around lately.
00:26:09Anything wrong between you two?
00:26:10Why should there be anything wrong?
00:26:12There shouldn't be, I'm sure.
00:26:13And whatever it is, isn't serious, I know.
00:26:15I'm sorry, Mother, for snapping at you like that.
00:26:17Don't worry about it, dear.
00:26:18Why don't you speak frankly to Bill?
00:26:19He'll be honest, whatever the trouble is.
00:26:20I'm sure Bill Harper never lied about anything.
00:26:21Yes, that's right.
00:26:22Bill's mother says he never lied.
00:26:23There, you see?
00:26:24You think it'll be all right if,
00:26:25if I speak to him about it?
00:26:26Why, of course.
00:26:32Oh, Jimmy.
00:26:35Oh, what?
00:26:36Sit down, darling, and I'll have your breakfast for you in a moment.
00:26:49Bye.
00:26:53Hey, Furious.
00:26:54Jimmy, there's something worrying you.
00:26:56What have I got to worry about?
00:26:58Why don't you tell me?
00:27:00Oh, for Pete's sake, don't start to cross-examine me, will you?
00:27:02I'm all right.
00:27:03Jimmy!
00:27:04Don't let Mother see you like that.
00:27:24There is no doubt that there is an organized gang distributing the narcotic to students,
00:27:30not only in my school, but all over the city.
00:27:33You government men have got to find some way to put an end to it.
00:27:38Of course, I agree with you, Dr. Carroll.
00:27:40But do you realize that marijuana is not like other forms of dope?
00:27:44You see, it grows wild in almost every state in the Union.
00:27:48Therefore, there is practically no interstate commerce in the drug.
00:27:52As a result, the government's hands are tied.
00:27:54And frankly, the only sure cure is a widespread campaign in education.
00:27:59Oh, it's all right to talk about education, Mr. Wyatt.
00:28:02But we educators can't do anything until the public is sufficiently aroused.
00:28:06Let me show you something.
00:28:08In 1930, the records on marijuana in the Washington office of the Narcotics Division
00:28:13scarcely filled a small folder like this.
00:28:16Today, they fill cabinets.
00:28:22All these devoted to marijuana records.
00:28:30Here is an example.
00:28:32A 16-year-old lad apprehended in the act for staging a holdup.
00:28:3716 years old and a marijuana addict.
00:28:40Here is the most tragic case.
00:28:42Yes, I remember.
00:28:44Just a young boy.
00:28:45Under the influence of the drug, he killed his entire family with an axe.
00:28:50Then there is the most vicious type of case.
00:28:53Here.
00:28:54In Michigan.
00:28:55A young girl, 17 years old.
00:28:57A reaper smoker.
00:28:58Taken in a raid in the company with five young men.
00:29:02Here is a particularly flagrant case.
00:29:04Yes.
00:29:05I remember.
00:29:06The newspapers made quite a play of it.
00:29:08In West Virginia, wasn't it?
00:29:09Yes.
00:29:10And there are hundreds of them coming up.
00:29:12New ones every day.
00:29:14I'd like to take these records, if I may.
00:29:17I feel they would be of invaluable assistance to me in combating the evil in my school.
00:29:21You're very welcome, Dr. Carroll.
00:29:28Sit down, Bill.
00:29:32There seems to be something wrong.
00:29:34What is it?
00:29:35You were always a fine student.
00:29:38You always had excellent grades.
00:29:40I guess the work is getting a little harder, Dr. Carroll.
00:29:44No.
00:29:45No, it isn't that.
00:29:46Bill, I'd like to help you.
00:29:48But of course, I can't unless you let me.
00:29:50You're undermining your health.
00:29:53Well, there's nothing, Dr. Carroll.
00:29:54Really there isn't.
00:29:55I'll study harder.
00:29:56Honest.
00:29:58Honest?
00:29:59If you were being honest with me, and honest with yourself,
00:30:02I'm afraid you'd tell me an entirely different story.
00:30:09Bill, I'm going to ask you a straightforward question.
00:30:12And I'd like to have a straightforward answer.
00:30:15Yes, sir.
00:30:16Isn't it true that you have, perhaps unwillingly,
00:30:19quite a certain harmful habit through association with certain undesirable people?
00:30:28Well?
00:30:29Oh, no, sir.
00:30:30I haven't, Dr. Carroll.
00:30:32Well, that is, you...
00:30:34You see, I'm...
00:30:35I'm worried about something at home.
00:30:38All right, my boy.
00:30:39We'll just have to let it go at that.
00:30:41But remember, if you ever want to confide in me, no one will ever be the wisest.
00:30:47Well, thank you, Dr. Carroll.
00:30:57Hello, Mary.
00:30:58You want to play a set?
00:30:59Thanks, Teddy, but I'm waiting for someone.
00:31:01Well, if you're waiting for Bill, he hasn't been here for a week.
00:31:04Oh, come on, Jimmy.
00:31:07Please, let me hots!
00:31:08Okay, Jimmy.
00:31:09No, Jimmy!
00:31:18Come on, Jimmy.
00:31:23Give it to me.
00:31:26Ah!
00:31:27It didn't take that new kid long to catch you, huh?
00:31:46Don't take any of them long.
00:31:53Say, don't you ever get fed?
00:31:55You're feeding me, can't you see?
00:32:03Give me that for the fork, will you?
00:32:05Get it yourself.
00:32:25Come on, Bill.
00:32:29Come on.
00:32:30Come on.
00:32:32Come on, Bill.
00:32:38Come on, Bill! Come on! Come on!
00:32:43Come on, Bill! Come on!
00:32:47Come on, Bill!
00:33:08Come on, Bill!
00:33:31Good morning, Miss. We're from the police department.
00:33:33Good morning.
00:33:34We're tracing a hit-and-run driver.
00:33:36Someone caught the license number at the place of the accident but didn't get it quite right.
00:33:39So we're checking all numbers like it, and yours was one of them.
00:33:42Well, I'll try to help you.
00:33:43Do you remember what you did on the 29th of last month?
00:33:46Oh, that was the day before Mother's birthday.
00:33:48Oh, yes, I remember that because I left school and went directly to the dressmakers with Mother.
00:33:53I was there all afternoon.
00:33:54Did you happen to loan your car to a couple of men?
00:33:57No. No. I had the car all afternoon myself.
00:34:00Well, thanks, Miss. Sorry to have troubled you.
00:34:02Tell me, did they... was the person killed?
00:34:05Fortunately, he wasn't, but that's still no excuse for hit-and-run driving.
00:34:21Has Jimmy Lane been here today?
00:34:24He was in. He went over to May's place.
00:34:28You know where that is.
00:34:30Well, uh, he was gonna wait for me here.
00:34:33So he didn't give me May's address.
00:34:36Are you sure Jimmy didn't leave any message for me?
00:34:39Mary?
00:34:43No, he didn't.
00:34:45But I guess you're okay.
00:34:47I'll write it down for you.
00:35:04Mary! Come right in!
00:35:06Is Jimmy here?
00:35:07Well, why, he's around somewhere.
00:35:08I... I think he went out to take Agnes home.
00:35:12But he'll be right back.
00:35:13Come in and sit down, Mary.
00:35:15And let me take your coat.
00:35:19Who's the new kid just came in?
00:35:21All that's that gal that Ralph's going overboard for.
00:35:32It's funny.
00:35:33We've never been able to get her up here before.
00:35:41Hey! Hey!
00:35:42Uh, scram, will ya?
00:35:51Let's go.
00:36:11Smoke, Mary?
00:36:12Thanks.
00:36:14Are you sure Jimmy will be back soon?
00:36:15Sure. Any minute.
00:36:21You're what...
00:36:22Do you want to be happy?
00:36:23No, I'm sorry.
00:36:26You can't wait.
00:36:27I'm sorry.
00:36:28I can't wait.
00:36:29You're right.
00:36:30Yeah.
00:36:31You're right.
00:36:32You're right.
00:36:33Alright, sir.
00:36:34We're ready.
00:36:35Ready?
00:36:36Yeah, I know your mind.
00:36:37You'll need to go.
00:36:38You're right.
00:36:40Mmm.
00:36:41You're right.
00:36:42All right, sir.
00:36:43Good.
00:36:44You're right.
00:36:45So, if you're not,
00:36:46You're right.
00:36:47I'm not even sure what you're doing.
00:36:49You're right.
00:36:50I don't know.
00:37:20Say, what's the matter? Am I an orphan?
00:37:25Where do you put us? You got a hollow leg?
00:37:29Thanks, dear.
00:37:31Thank you, Mary.
00:37:33Oh, Mary, give me everything. Mary!
00:37:37No, don't! Please help me!
00:37:41Oh, Mary!
00:37:43Leave me alone!
00:37:47Go away!
00:37:49Here we go, Mary!
00:37:51Don't worry!
00:37:57There may be a mile away!
00:38:00Oh, leave me alone!
00:38:02Please!
00:38:03Everything's over.
00:38:04Leave me alone!
00:38:06Romeo!
00:38:10What o'clock tomorrow shall I send him to thee?
00:38:18It's Lido here to help me, Bill.
00:38:22Oh, thank you, kind sir.
00:38:24Oh, thank you, kind sir.
00:38:27That was good.
00:38:28Bill, kind of girl!
00:38:30You're so beautiful!
00:38:32Bill, kind of girl!
00:38:34Bill, kind of girl!
00:38:35Oh, I didn't know anything!
00:38:37I can't!
00:38:39Look out!
00:38:41You have a man!
00:38:42I can't find anything you'll ever get out of here!
00:38:51Well, let's go ahead.
00:38:54Ugh!
00:38:57I can't do it, too.
00:38:58I can't do it!
00:39:00You're a man!
00:39:01Yeah, unfortunately!
00:39:02Bill! Bill! Look!
00:39:21Jack, is she all right?
00:39:28She's dead.
00:39:33Nay, get me some water.
00:39:37Now listen, you two. I want you to get out of here.
00:39:40Get out of here and forget you were ever in here today.
00:39:43I'll handle this and I'll get going.
00:39:58Give it to me.
00:40:02Here.
00:40:08Harry!
00:40:09Harry!
00:40:13Harry!
00:40:14Mary!
00:40:15Mary!
00:40:16Mary!
00:40:17Mary!
00:40:22Mary!
00:40:23Mary!
00:40:24Mary!
00:40:25Mary!
00:40:29What happened?
00:40:30You killed her.
00:40:31Mary!
00:40:32Mary!
00:40:36Mary!
00:40:37What happened?
00:40:38You killed her.
00:40:39Mary!
00:40:40Mary!
00:40:41Mary!
00:40:42Mary!
00:40:43Mary!
00:40:45Look.
00:40:46After I scram you call the cops.
00:40:47And this is your story.
00:40:48And this is your story.
00:40:49Remember it.
00:40:50These two kids came up here for a couple of beers.
00:40:54You're out in the kitchen.
00:40:55You heard the shots.
00:40:56When you got in here, that's what you found.
00:40:57Just stick to that story.
00:41:00Mary!
00:41:01Mary!
00:41:02Mary!
00:41:06Mary!
00:41:07Mary!
00:41:08Mary!
00:41:09Mary!
00:41:10Mary!
00:41:11Mary!
00:41:12Speak to me.
00:41:14Mary!
00:41:15Mary!
00:41:18Mary!
00:41:19Speak to me.
00:41:21Mary!
00:41:23Mary!
00:41:33Mary!
00:41:34Hello, Jack.
00:41:59I was just talking to a friend of mine.
00:42:02A calf.
00:42:04A sergeant on the homicide squad.
00:42:09The guy you hit that day died.
00:42:11Died?
00:42:12You, I mean, you didn't...
00:42:14No.
00:42:15I didn't crack.
00:42:17I'm not going to.
00:42:19Nobody will ever know you were driving that car.
00:42:21Well, thanks, Jack.
00:42:24Just as long as you keep your mouth shut that you were ever up in May's apartment.
00:42:27Why, sure, Jack, sure.
00:42:32Okay.
00:42:42Your Honor, I'd like to recall Dr. Alfred Carroll to the stand.
00:42:46Call Dr. Alfred Carroll to the stand.
00:42:48Dr. Carroll, as principal of the Lakeside High School, did you, during the last three months,
00:43:06notice any changes in the demeanor and attitude of your student, William Hopper?
00:43:09Yes, in a number of things.
00:43:12For example, a time's disassociation of ideas.
00:43:17In another instance, I happened to attend the recent interscholastic tennis matches.
00:43:25And while Bill Hopper had been considered an exceedingly good player, I saw him miss the ball by as much as three or four feet.
00:43:33This, I understand, could be attributed to the use of marijuana.
00:43:36It causes errors in time and space.
00:43:40Objection, Your Honor.
00:43:41The witness isn't qualified to express opinions upon the effects of narcotics.
00:43:45Sustained.
00:43:47Dr. Carroll has been called merely as a character witness.
00:43:49Well, then, although you didn't know, to your own knowledge, that the defendant was using marijuana,
00:43:56did you notice any changes that would lead you to believe, as an educator,
00:44:01that he was under some severe mental strain, which might possibly have been induced by some drug?
00:44:07Yes, I recall distinctly a few weeks ago.
00:44:11It was during a class of English literature.
00:44:13There was a serious discussion of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
00:44:17when he suddenly burst into an uncontrollable fit of hysterical laughter.
00:44:23Oh, by the way, Dr. Carroll, six months ago,
00:44:25what would have been your opinion regarding the character of my client?
00:44:29He was a fine, upstanding American boy, a good scholar, a good athlete,
00:44:35and representative of the caliber of young men we are proud to do with from our school.
00:44:47Oh, snap out of him, will you?
00:44:49It's not our fault.
00:44:53Why'd I ever bring him up there, anyway?
00:44:55He's just a kid.
00:44:58I can't hang him.
00:44:59Shut up! Shut up!
00:45:02Why don't you let yourself go?
00:45:04Talk!
00:45:05Go off your nut and have me that way, too.
00:45:09It was his own fault, wasn't it?
00:45:10Shut up!
00:45:11They've got us hidden out, haven't they?
00:45:13The cops can't find us.
00:45:17Jack.
00:45:18Jack, I want to get out of this place.
00:45:21You're going to stay here as long as we have to keep those two out there undercover.
00:45:26Until the trial's over.
00:45:29Or the boss gets a better idea.
00:45:31But they're getting on my nerves.
00:45:33It can't last much longer.
00:45:37I'm not worried about her.
00:45:39We've got to keep him gagged.
00:45:41He's about ready to crack.
00:45:43All you've got to do is keep him from having too many reefers.
00:45:46Any day now, that punk will get hot.
00:45:48He'll probably spill until all he knows if he gets a chance.
00:45:55I don't think he'll get it.
00:46:01I'll see you later.
00:46:02Where are you going?
00:46:03I'm going to see the boss.
00:46:08Hello, Jack.
00:46:19Hello, boss.
00:46:25What are we going to do about that wily guy?
00:46:27Still jittery, huh?
00:46:29I don't know what the punk's going to do.
00:46:31Keep feeding him those heart sticks.
00:46:32That's what May's been doing.
00:46:34That's no good.
00:46:35I've got a hunch that he's due to crack when that Harper verdict comes in.
00:46:40He's on the T.
00:46:42He's willing to take a powder on us and blow his topper to the D.A.
00:46:45You mean you think we'd all be better off if he never heard the verdict?
00:46:52Well, what are you waiting for?
00:46:56You, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have a duty to perform, a duty to yourselves and
00:47:13to our community.
00:47:14Mary Lane is dead.
00:47:18The evidence you've heard at this trial could not have failed to convince you of the guilt
00:47:24of the defendant.
00:47:26By his own admission, he pressed the trigger of the weapon that sent lovely and innocent
00:47:31Mary Lane to a tragic and untimely death.
00:47:34We are not so much concerned about the motives behind the deed as to the deed itself.
00:47:42While the defendant has told you that he saw someone attacking Mary Lane and that his
00:47:48mind went blank from that moment on, the defense has been unable to produce one witness to
00:47:54substantiate that statement.
00:47:56Now, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have heard able men testify at this trial, men
00:48:04who have tried to bring out the fact that the defendant might have become momentarily insane
00:48:09when he fired the shot that killed Mary Lane.
00:48:12But the defense has been unable to prove that he was insane.
00:48:17William Harper was sane when he visited the apartment where the tragedy occurred.
00:48:21He was in the habit of visiting the place.
00:48:23He was sane when he went into a bedroom with another young woman.
00:48:27You've all heard what went on in that room.
00:48:30You heard it from the defendant's own lips.
00:48:33Involved as he was in a tawdry love affair, Mary Lane was in the way.
00:48:38She had found him out.
00:48:41In a moment of anger, he deliberately and willfully killed her.
00:48:45If such deeds are permitted to go unpunished, this community would cease to be a decent and
00:48:51safe place for us or our children to live.
00:48:55I do not believe I have to plead or even demand that you bring in a verdict to punish the defendant
00:49:01for the crime that he has committed against society.
00:49:05You are upright citizens.
00:49:07That is why you were chosen to judge another.
00:49:09And as honest, upright citizens, there is only one verdict which you can find.
00:49:16And that is a verdict of guilty.
00:49:21And this court will be adjourned until the jury's verdict is reached.
00:49:32I suppose you all feel the same about this case.
00:49:35But he might have been insane when he did it.
00:49:43No, he wasn't.
00:49:44He knew what he was doing.
00:49:51But supposing he was insane.
00:49:53You can never make me believe it or anybody else.
00:49:56We'll take a first vote.
00:50:0511 for conviction, 1 for acquittal.
00:50:20But there's a reasonable doubt about the boy's sanity.
00:50:23We can't...
00:50:24No doubt about the fact that he murdered her.
00:50:26He admitted it himself.
00:50:27That wasn't the first time he was there.
00:50:35We've got to make an example
00:50:41before boys like that contaminate all of our children.
00:50:45We can't have every murderer hiding behind the gag that he's insane.
00:50:48Sure, they see red before they kill somebody.
00:50:51But whose fault is it?
00:51:05Not even though they were...
00:51:06All right.
00:51:07Have you reached a verdict?
00:51:37We have.
00:51:39The defendant will rise.
00:51:45What is your verdict?
00:51:47We find the defendant guilty as charged.
00:51:55No!
00:51:57No!
00:51:59No!
00:52:07No!
00:52:09No!
00:52:11No!
00:52:13No!
00:52:15No!
00:52:17No!
00:52:19No!
00:52:21No!
00:52:23No!
00:52:25No!
00:52:27No!
00:52:29No!
00:52:31No!
00:52:33No!
00:52:35No!
00:52:37No!
00:52:39No!
00:52:41No!
00:52:43No!
00:52:45No!
00:52:47Stop that racket!
00:52:49Stop it!
00:52:51Give me the creeps.
00:53:00May.
00:53:01May!
00:53:02What do you want?
00:53:04Bring me some reefers.
00:53:06They're going to Hagen.
00:53:16Flange.
00:53:17They're going to Hagen.
00:53:19Oh, come on.
00:53:20Get a hold of yourself.
00:53:22Here you are.
00:53:24And quit that crazy laughing.
00:53:28Where's Jack?
00:53:29I want to get out of here.
00:53:30They'll pick you up and hang you if you don't pipe down.
00:53:32I want to see Jack.
00:53:34Jack.
00:53:35I want to see Jack.
00:53:37Jack.
00:53:38You better quiet him.
00:53:40I can't do anything with him.
00:53:42I've got to see Jack.
00:53:46We can't let that kid hang.
00:53:48He'll be here.
00:53:50Don't worry.
00:53:51He'll be here.
00:53:52Don't worry.
00:53:53He'll be here.
00:53:54I'll be here.
00:53:55Don't worry.
00:53:56He'll be here.
00:53:57No!
00:53:58I want to see Jack.
00:53:59I want to see Jack.
00:54:02I want to see Jack.
00:54:05Jack.
00:54:06You'd better quiet him.
00:54:07Don't worry. He'll be here in a little while.
00:54:09I've got to see him.
00:54:11I've got to see him.
00:54:28Come on, darling.
00:54:30Everything will be over soon.
00:54:32Do you want me to play something for you?
00:54:37Yeah. Yeah, that's it.
00:54:39Play something.
00:54:40All right. Come on.
00:54:50Honey, give me the smoke, will you?
00:55:02Come on.
00:55:21Master!
00:55:24Master!
00:55:29Play faster!
00:55:33Master!
00:55:37Play faster!
00:55:39Master!
00:55:40Master!
00:56:02Master!
00:56:03Master!
00:56:04Master!
00:56:08Master!
00:56:09Master!
00:56:10Master!
00:56:12Master!
00:56:13Master!
00:56:19Master!
00:56:20I know what you want.
00:56:23You want to kill me!
00:56:24You're crazy.
00:56:26Take it easy, kid.
00:56:28I just want to talk to you.
00:56:51Hurry, hurry!
00:56:52There's a terrible fight going on.
00:56:54Yes.
00:56:55Yes.
00:56:56Apartment 32.
00:57:16Stop it!
00:57:17Stop it!
00:57:18Take your hand over me!
00:57:19Stop it!
00:57:20Take your hand over me!
00:57:21Stop it!
00:57:22Take your hand over me!
00:57:23Stop it!
00:57:24Stop it!
00:57:25Stop it!
00:57:26Stop it!
00:57:28Stop it!
00:57:29Stop it!
00:57:30Stop it!
00:57:31Stop it!
00:57:32Stop it!
00:57:34Stop it!
00:57:35Oh, hey, you and Jack, sorry!
00:57:36Are you ready to tell what you know?
00:57:38Yes!
00:57:40Yes.
00:57:43Oh, fuck.
00:58:10Oh, fuck.
00:58:40If we can gain some measure of leniency from my client, she is prepared to enter a plea of guilty and, in addition, turn safe evidence in the case of William Harper.
00:58:58I regret that this court is not prepared to bargain with justice.
00:59:02I'll tell anyway.
00:59:03I was there.
00:59:04I saw it.
00:59:05I know who killed Mary.
00:59:07And I'll tell you who killed Mary Lane.
00:59:09It wasn't Bill.
00:59:10Bill.
00:59:10It was Jack.
00:59:12Jack Perry.
00:59:13He shot Mary, and then he put the gun in Bill's hand.
00:59:16We were all up at the apartment one afternoon, and Mary came in looking for her brother.
00:59:22Bill and I, we'd been in another room.
00:59:25And Bill came in, and he caught Ralph with Mary, and they started to fight.
00:59:29But it was Jack who had the gun.
00:59:31He was going to hit Bill over the head with it to make him stop.
00:59:33And then the gun went off.
00:59:35And then the gun went off.
00:59:36And then the gun went off.
00:59:36I saw it.
00:59:38I can see it now.
00:59:40It was horrible.
00:59:42And before he knew her, Mary, Mary was dead.
00:59:53But you see, Judge, Bill didn't know he hadn't killed Mary.
00:59:56He was so doped up, they made him think he had.
01:00:00Ralph wanted to tell you, too.
01:00:03Oh, if they don't, they'll let him.
01:00:05But this is the truth, Judge. I'm telling you the truth.
01:00:09After Jack saw the poor thing was dead, he put the gun in Bill's hands.
01:00:15It was Jack's fault.
01:00:18And it was my fault, too.
01:00:22I got all of them to come up to the apartment.
01:00:26I'm just as much to blame.
01:00:29I am. I am.
01:00:34Do I understand you wish to plead guilty to a charge
01:00:37of fostering moral delinquency in the case of William Harper?
01:00:41Yes, yes, I'm guilty. I am.
01:00:46Prepare a statement for signature.
01:00:48And also an order setting aside the jury's verdict
01:00:51in the case of the people versus William Harper.
01:00:54In the interests of justice, I shall direct the verdict of not guilty.
01:01:13Sign here, please.
01:01:24You shall be brought into court on Thursday the 17th, when sentence will be pronounced.
01:01:39Meanwhile, you will be held as a material witness in the case of the people versus Ralph Wiley.
01:01:54You shall be held as a crime.
01:01:55Come on.
01:01:57You shall see us.
01:01:58I will be held to court on Thursday the mejor date.
01:02:01You shall be held to court that salvation was just a treasure.
01:02:03It has been done.
01:02:04You shall have been held to court in the court, dlatego you shall get cold in the court.
01:02:07You shall be held to court in the court .
01:02:08You shall have had to turn the court on Thursday'll be held to court,
01:02:13nor the court for tonight's work.
01:02:14The court of freedom is held to court.
01:02:15THE END
01:02:45We've come in the hearings before this court today
01:03:06to what I hope will be the final actions revolving about an unhappy and unfortunate case,
01:03:12one whose horrible tragedy will forever remain with me.
01:03:18I am happy to have been enabled, before it was too late,
01:03:22to order the verdict of the jury in the case of the people versus William Harper to be set aside.
01:03:28But, young man, although this court is convinced that to declare you guilty
01:03:33would have been a gross miscarriage of justice,
01:03:36we cannot condone your acts.
01:03:40And we can express only the hope that your experiences may not alone keep you,
01:03:45but thousands of others from the vicious pitfalls of marijuana.
01:03:51Thus, I am ordering you to remain in this court during the next case,
01:03:54so that you will be obliged to witness what you yourself so narrowly escaped.
01:04:01Call the case of the people versus Ralph Wiley.
01:04:03Bill.
01:04:09Bill.
01:04:11Bill.
01:04:12Your Honor, in this case, the state waives trial of the defendant, Ralph Wiley.
01:04:35It is recommended, Your Honor, that the defendant be placed at an institution for the criminally insane
01:04:42for the rest of his natural life.
01:04:44Defendant's counsel joins the state in this request.
01:04:49Since counsel for the defense, as well as counsel for the state, seem to agree on this,
01:04:54I see no reason why the request should not be granted.
01:04:59That happened right here, to your neighbors.
01:05:01It is not too much to say that in your hands lies the possibility of averting other tragedies like it.
01:05:10We must work untiringly so that our children are obliged to learn the truth,
01:05:15because it is only through knowledge that we can safely protect them.
01:05:20Failing this, the next tragedy may be that of your daughter,
01:05:25or your son,
01:05:27or yours,
01:05:29or yours,
01:05:31or yours.
01:05:32The End
01:05:40The End
01:05:41The End
01:05:43The End
01:05:45The End
01:05:47The End
01:05:49You